Multiquip Trailers - Manual (Page 21)

trailer • owner's manual — rev. #4 (11/08/13) — page 21
coupling to the tow vehicle
„ Wipe the inside and outside of the coupler clean and
inspect it visually for cracks and deformations; feel the
inside of the coupler for worn spots and pits.
„ Be sure the coupler is tight to the tongue of the trailer.
All coupler fasteners must be visibly solid against the
trailer frame.
„ Raise the bottom surface of the coupler to be above the
top of the hitch. Use the tongue jack to support the trailer
tongue. Wood or concrete blocks may also be used.
preparing the Coupler and Hitch
„ Lubricate the hitch ball and the inside of coupler with
a thin layer of automotive bearing grease (ball coupler
only).
„ The trailer may be fitted with a tongue jack that can raise
and lower the coupler. The tongue jack is mounted to the
A-frame (front, or tongue) part of the trailer and raises
the tongue of the trailer. Raise the coupler above the top
of the hitch by rotating the jack handle clockwise.
„ Open the coupler locking mechanism. Couplers have a
locking mechanism with an internal moving piece and
an outside handle.
„ In the open position, the coupler is able to drop fully onto
the hitch. See the coupler manufacturer instructions for
details of placing the coupler in the “open” position.
„ Slowly back up the tow vehicle so that the hitch is near
or aligned under the coupler if the trailer jack has raised
the coupler.
warning
A worn, cracked or corroded hitch can fail while towing,
and may result in death or serious injury.
Before coupling trailer, inspect the hitch for wear,
corrosion and cracks.
Replace worn or damaged hitch.
warning
Be sure the ball or hook is tight to the hitch before
coupling the trailer. A loose hitch ball or hook can result
in uncoupling, leading to death or serious injury.
trailer Coupler to tow vehicle Hitch
If your trailer does not have a jack, you will have to lift the
coupler and place it over the hitch (Figure 9).
Figure 9. Hitch Coupling Mechanism
„ If you have a jack, lower the trailer until the coupler fully
engages the hitch. If the coupler does not line up with
the hitch, adjust the position of the tow vehicle.
„ Engage the coupler locking mechanism. In the engaged
position, the locking mechanism securely holds the
coupler to the hitch.
„ Insert a pin or lock through the hole in the locking
mechanism.
„ Be sure the coupler is all the way on the hitch and the
locking mechanism is engaged. A properly engaged
locking mechanism will allow the coupler to raise the
rear of the tow vehicle. Using the trailer jackstand, verify
that you can raise the rear of the tow vehicle by one inch
after the coupler is locked to the hitch.
BALL
COUPLER
BALL
HITCH
TOW
VEHICLE TRAILER
LOCKING
MECHANISM
TRAILER
TONGUE
TOW
VEHICLE
PINTLE
HOOK
PINTLE
EYE
BALL COUPLER
PINTLE COUPLER
LOCKING
PIN
NOTICE
Overloading can damage the tongue jack. Do not use
the tongue jack to raise the tow vehicle more than
one inch.